Flashlight Mount

ABSTRACT

A flashlight mount is provided comprising a suction cup base, a flexible mast attached to the suction cup base at a first end wherein the modular, flexible mast is capable of being positioned in any orientation, a clamp adaptor attached to an elbow joint at a second end of the flexible mast wherein a single inner groove is formed vertically on an inside surface wherein the elbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the flexible mast and wherein the clamp adaptor is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the elbow joint, and an inner ring having a single outer groove formed vertically on an outside surface of the inner ring wherein the inner groove and outer groove interlock wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the clamp adaptor and an opening in the inner ring is configured to hold a flashlight.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/915,227, filed on Mar. 8, 2018, which iscontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/730,968, filed on Oct. 12,2017, both of which are owned by a common owner and are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a flashlight mount, and more particularly, toa hands-free, portable flashlight mount.

BACKGROUND

There are many instances in which a hands-free flashlight mount ishighly desirable. Especially if one is working in a confined area, aflashlight mount should also be flexible so that the flashlight can beshifted into any direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,546 (Burdi) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,769 (Hunley Jr.et al), and U.S. Patent Application 2004/0089778 (Valentine et al) showvarious flashlight mounts.

SUMMARY

A principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a hands-free,portable flashlight mount.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a hands-free, portable,and flexible flashlight mount.

In accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a flashlight mount isprovided comprising a suction cup base, a modular, flexible mastattached to the suction cup base at a first end wherein the modular,flexible mast is capable of being positioned in any orientation, a clampadaptor attached to an elbow joint at a second end of the flexible mastwherein a plurality of inner grooves are formed vertically on an insidesurface of the clamp adaptor wherein the elbow joint is rotatable 360degrees relative to the flexible mast and wherein the clamp adaptor isrotatable 360 degrees relative to the elbow joint, and an inner ringhaving a plurality of outer grooves formed vertically on an outsidesurface of the inner ring wherein the inner grooves and outer groovesinterlock wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees with respectto the clamp adaptor and an opening in the inner ring is configured tohold a flashlight.

Also in accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a method offabricating a flashlight mount is provided. A mast base piece is mountedon a suction cup base. A first modular, flexible mast piece is attachedto the mast base piece. One or more second modular, flexible mast piecesare attached vertically to underlying modular, flexible mast piecesuntil a desired mast length is reached wherein the modular, flexiblemast is capable of being positioned in any orientation. An elbow jointis attached to a topmost second modular, flexible mast piece wherein theelbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the topmost secondmodular, flexible mast piece. A clamp adaptor is mounted to the elbowjoint wherein a plurality of inner grooves are formed vertically on aninside surface of the clamp adaptor and wherein the clamp adaptor isrotatable 360 degrees with respect to the elbow joint. An inner ring ismounted inside the clamp adaptor, the inner ring having a plurality ofouter grooves formed vertically on an outside surface of the inner ringwherein the inner grooves and outer grooves interlock and an opening inthe inner ring having a first diameter configured to receive a devicehaving a second diameter wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degreeswith respect to the clamp adaptor.

Also in accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a method of usinga flashlight mount is provided. A flashlight mount is providedcomprising a suction cup base, a modular, flexible mast attached to thesuction cup base at a first end wherein the modular, flexible mast iscapable of being positioned in any orientation, a clamp adaptor attachedto an elbow joint at a second end of the flexible mast wherein aplurality of inner grooves are formed vertically on an inside surface ofthe clamp adaptor wherein the elbow joint is rotatable 360 degreesrelative to the flexible mast and wherein the clamp adaptor is rotatable360 degrees relative to the elbow joint, and an inner ring mountedinside the clamp adaptor, the inner ring having a plurality of outergrooves formed vertically on an outside surface of the inner ringwherein the inner grooves and outer grooves interlock, and an opening inthe inner ring having a first diameter configured to receive a devicehaving a second diameter wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degreeswith respect to the clamp adaptor. The modular, flexible mast isshortened or lengthened as desired. The suction cup base is mounted ontoany smooth surface. A device is inserted into the opening in the innerring.

Also in accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a flashlightmount is provided comprising a suction cup base, a modular, flexiblemast attached to the suction cup base at a first end wherein themodular, flexible mast is capable of being positioned in anyorientation, a clamp adaptor attached to an elbow joint at a second endof the flexible mast wherein a single inner groove is formed verticallyon an inside surface of the clamp adaptor wherein the elbow joint isrotatable 360 degrees relative to the flexible mast and wherein theclamp adaptor is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the elbow joint, andan inner ring having a single outer groove formed vertically on anoutside surface of the inner ring wherein the inner groove and outergroove interlock wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees withrespect to the clamp adaptor and an opening in the inner ring isconfigured to hold a flashlight.

Also in accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a method offabricating a flashlight mount is provided. A mast base piece is mountedon a suction cup base. A first modular, flexible mast piece is attachedto the mast base piece. One or more second modular, flexible mast piecesare attached vertically to underlying modular, flexible mast piecesuntil a desired mast length is reached wherein the modular, flexiblemast is capable of being positioned in any orientation. An elbow jointis attached to a topmost second modular, flexible mast piece wherein theelbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the topmost secondmodular, flexible mast piece. A clamp adaptor is mounted to the elbowjoint wherein a single inner groove is formed vertically on an insidesurface of the clamp adaptor and wherein the clamp adaptor is rotatable360 degrees with respect to the elbow joint. An inner ring is mountedinside the clamp adaptor, the inner ring having a single outer grooveformed vertically on an outside surface of the inner ring wherein theinner groove and outer groove interlock and an opening in the inner ringhaving a first diameter configured to receive a device having a seconddiameter wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees with respect tothe clamp adaptor.

Also in accordance with the objects of the disclosure, a method of usinga flashlight mount is provided. A flashlight mount is providedcomprising a suction cup base, a modular, flexible mast attached to thesuction cup base at a first end wherein the modular, flexible mast iscapable of being positioned in any orientation, a clamp adaptor attachedto an elbow joint at a second end of the flexible mast wherein a singleinner groove is formed vertically on an inside surface of the clampadaptor wherein the elbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees relative to theflexible mast and wherein the clamp adaptor is rotatable 360 degreesrelative to the elbow joint, and an inner ring mounted inside the clampadaptor, the inner ring having a single outer groove formed verticallyon an outside surface of the inner ring wherein the inner groove andouter groove interlock, and an opening in the inner ring having a firstdiameter configured to receive a device having a second diameter whereinthe inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the clampadaptor. The modular, flexible mast is shortened or lengthened asdesired. The suction cup base is mounted onto any smooth surface. Adevice is inserted into the opening in the inner ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of thisdescription, there is shown:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the flashlight mountof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a lower portion of the flashlight mount of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lower portion of the flashlight mount of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an upper portion of the flashlight mount of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an upper portion of the flashlight mount ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6-8 are isometric views of the flashlight holder portion of theflashlight mount of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative inner ring and flashlightin a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are front views of two preferred embodiments of theflashlight mount of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an alternative flashlight holder portionof the flashlight mount of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure involves a hands-free, portable flashlight mount. Manyflashlights have a 1″ diameter, and the flashlight mount of the presentdisclosure is designed to accommodate flashlights or work lights havinga 1″ diameter. Referring to FIG. 1, the disclosed flashlight mountcomprises a suction cup base 10, a flexible mast 20, and a clamp adaptor30 with inner ring 40. The flashlight mount can be mounted to any smoothsurface, wet or dry.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate side and front views, respectively, of a lowerportion of the flashlight mount. FIG. 2 illustrates section cup 10,vacuum pump 12, button 11, and base 14. FIG. 3 illustrates theflashlight mount turned 90 degrees counter-clockwise from FIG. 2 wherethe vacuum pump 12 and base 14 are shown in cross-section. For example,the suction cup base is the Wood's Powr-Grip Model TL3AMB1420T58Lsuction cup (Wood's Powr-Grip Co., Inc., Laurel, Mont.). This suctioncup base allows the flashlight mount to be mounted to any smoothsurface, wet or dry. The vacuum pump 12 allows for easy mounting andun-mounting, by pressing button 11 one or more times to increase theamount of suction between the suction cup and the surface to which it isbeing attached. Also shown are suction tab release tabs 18. As shown inFIG. 3, the base 14 is attached to the suction cup 10 with screws 16.The suction cup 10 is preferably 3″ in diameter, but may be 3 to 10inches.

The suction cup base piece 14 is attached to Loc-Line® fixed mount 22(Lockwood Products, Inc., Lake Oswego, Oreg.) with a bolt or screw 23. ALoc-Line® modular hose piece (#69540) 24 is snapped onto the fixed mount22. Successive pieces 24 are snapped onto the first piece to the desiredlength, preferably about 16″, but may be 1 to 30 inches. The length ofthe assembly can be tailored to the user by adding or removingindividual mast pieces 24 without tools. This configuration allows foran infinite rotation and poses. The dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the range of motion for the Loc-Line® mast 20 that isadjustable in 360 degrees around the vertical line extending upwardsfrom base 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a Loc-Line® Shield Mounting Elbow (#60531) 26terminates the mast assembly 20. Again, dashed lines indicate range ofmotion of the mast 20. Now, a key feature of the flashlight mount willbe described. C-shaped clamp adaptor 30 is attached to theLoc-Line®shield elbow 26 with a screw 32 that passes through washers 34a and 34 b and into PEM® insert 36 in the elbow 26. The PEM® (PennEngineering, Danboro, Pa.) insert is a self-clinching threaded insert,part of the Loc-Line® system. Preferably, 34 a is a neoprene washer and34 b is a nylon washer. The nylon washer 34 b provides more surface areabetween the clamp adaptor 30 and the neoprene washer 34 a which providesresistance to maintain the position of the clamp.

The clamp adaptor 30 attached to the mast 20 can rotate to 360 degreeswith sufficient friction to maintain the desired positions. The clampadaptor 30 rotates 360 degrees on the axis of the screw 32. The elbow 26rotates 360 degrees on the axis of the mast assembly 20.

The flexible mast 20 may be a modular plastic mast such as a Loc-Line®system as described above. Alternately, the flexible mast could be othertypes of ‘gooseneck’ systems. These include interlocking rolled metal,or flexible conduit, such as is used with microphone stands. Aplastic-coated wire, where the wire is a narrow enough gauge that itflexes readily, could also be used. Alternately, rigid plastic or metalmasts having swivelling joints could be utilized for the mast 20. In allcases, the clamp adapter 30 would be attached with a screw 32 to theupper end of the mast, using, for example, a PEM® insert 36 as describedabove.

FIG. 5 shows the clamp adaptor 30 of FIG. 4 rotated counter-clockwise 90degrees so that the screw 32 is seen head-on. Three slots 38 can be seenon the inner surface of the clamp adaptor 30. The slots extend along theentire inside surface of the clamp adaptor. More or fewer than 3 slotscould be provided, but at least 3 slots is preferable.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, it will be shown how a flashlight or worklight is mounted into the assembly. It will be understood that otherdevices of similar shape could also be mounted into the assembly. Thesedevices could be mirrors, clamping devices, and any other usefuldevices. FIG. 6 illustrates an inner ring 40. Opening 46 inside theinner ring has a diameter sufficient to receive a preferably 1″ diameterflashlight. The opening can be made to have a different diameter asdesired to fit lights of other diameters. If a larger diameter than 1″is needed for opening 46, the inner ring and clamp adaptor can beaccordingly increased in size.

After the flashlight is inserted into the inner ring 40, the inner ring40 is mounted into the clamp adaptor 30. Grooves 42 on the entireoutside surface of the inner ring 40 interlock with the slots 38 on theinner surface of the clamp adaptor 30. The C clamp is precisely sized sothe ring can be inserted into it through the opening (that is, the openside of the letter C). The C clamp flexes slightly to allow entry of theinner ring, but is otherwise a quite rigid plastic material.

FIG. 7 illustrates the inner ring 40 inserted into the clamp adaptor 30.The preferably three outer grooves on the inner ring are aligned withthe corresponding grooves inside the clamp adaptor and the inner ring issnapped into the clamp adaptor using hand pressure. The inner ring willrotate 360 degrees with respect to the clamp adaptor with sufficientfriction to maintain a desired position.

The clamp and ring are preferably manufactured by a machining process,but it is possible they could alternately be injection molded. Forexample, the material of the clamp and ring may be Delrin®, ahighly-crystalline thermoplastic made by E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany, Wilmington, Del. Preferably there are three matching grooves onthe ring and clamp, but it is possible to have two or more than threegrooves. Alternatively, there could be a single matching interlockinggroove on each of the ring and the clamp, as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 8 illustrates the flashlight 50 inserted into the opening 46 in theinner ring 40. Arrows 52 illustrate the direction in which theflashlight is inserted. Arrows 54 illustrate the range of motion for the360 degree rotation of the flashlight held by the inner ring. Theflashlight and inner ring can easily be attached to and removed from theclamp adaptor.

The inner ring 40 can be either a solid piece, as shown in FIG. 8, or asolid piece with one horizontal slit all the way through one side of theinner ring so it can be expanded to slide over flashlights slightlylarger than 1″ in diameter or flashlights with slightly larger featureson one end such as knurling. FIG. 9 illustrates inner ring 40 with aslit 48 and flashlight 60 with knurling 62, for example. The slit 48 maybe about 1/32″ to 1/16″, for example.

Preferably, the flashlight is first inserted into the inner ring 40 andthen the inner ring and flashlight together are inserted into the clampadaptor. A slit in the inner ring allows insertion of a flashlightslightly larger than the diameter of the inner ring, for example,preferably up to 1/16″ larger, or in a range of 5-10% larger.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flashlight 50 held by the clamp 30. Mast 20 is ina vertical position. As shown in the figure, the suction cup 10 can bemounted onto a vertical surface 100. FIG. 11 illustrates a work lightsuch as the Steelman® Pro work light #78606 (JS Products Inc., LasVegas, Nev.) 64 held by the inner ring 40 in the clamp 30 of theflashlight mount. In this figure, the suction cup base 10 is mounted onan overhead horizontal surface 102. Mast 20 is shown in a bent position.It will be understood that the flashlight mount in FIGS. 10 and 11 maybe positioned in any orientation. The suction cup base 10 may be mountedon any smooth surface, horizontal, vertical, or other orientation. Themast 20 can be bent in an infinite variety of positions. The elbow jointof the mast may rotate in 360 degrees with respect to the mast. Theclamp adaptor 30 may rotate 360 degrees with respect to the elbow joint.The inner ring 40 may rotate 360 degrees with respect to the clamp. Anytype of flashlight or work light or other device having a diameter equalto the inner ring diameter may be mounted within the disclosedflashlight mount.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has beenillustrated, and that form has been described in detail, it will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flashlight mount comprising: a flexible mastconfigured to be positioned in one of a plurality of orientations; aclamp adaptor attached to an elbow joint at one end of said flexiblemast wherein a single groove is formed vertically on an inside surfaceof said clamp adaptor wherein said elbow joint is rotatable relative tosaid flexible mast and wherein said clamp adaptor is rotatable relativeto said elbow joint; and an inner ring configured to be mounted insidesaid clamp adaptor, said inner ring having: a single outer groove formedvertically on an outside surface of said inner ring wherein said innergroove and said outer groove interlock; and an opening in said innerring having a first diameter configured to receive a device having asecond diameter wherein said inner ring is rotatable with respect tosaid clamp adaptor.
 2. The flashlight mount according to claim 1 furthercomprising a suction cup base attached to a second end of said flexiblemast wherein said suction cup base is configured to be mounted to asmooth surface, which is wet or dry.
 3. The flashlight mount accordingto claim 1 wherein said device having said second diameter equal to saidfirst diameter is mounted into said inner ring.
 4. The flashlight mountaccording to claim 1 wherein a horizontal slit all the way through oneside of said inner ring allows mounting of said device having saidsecond diameter five percent to ten percent_larger than said firstdiameter.
 5. The flashlight mount according to claim 2 wherein saidsuction cup base includes a vacuum pump for mounting said suction cup toa surface.
 6. The flashlight mount according to claim 1 wherein saidflexible mast is capable of being lengthened or shortened at any timewithout tools.
 7. The flashlight mount according to claim 1 wherein saidflexible mast comprises a modular plastic mast, a gooseneck system,interlocking rolled metal, flexible conduit, a plastic-coated wire, orrigid plastic or metal masts having swivelling joints.
 8. The flashlightmount according to claim 1 wherein said device comprises a flashlight, awork light, a mirror, or a clamping device.
 9. The flashlight mountaccording to claim 1 wherein said elbow joint is rotatable 360 degreesrelative to said flexible mast, said clamp adaptor is rotatable 360degrees with respect to said elbow joint, and said inner ring isrotatable 360 degrees with respect to said clamp adaptor.
 10. A methodof fabricating a flashlight mount comprising: attaching a flexible mastto a mast base; attaching an elbow joint to a uppermost part of saidflexible mast, wherein said elbow joint is rotatable with respect tosaid uppermost part of said flexible mast; mounting a clamp adaptor tosaid elbow joint wherein a single inner groove is formed vertically onan inside surface of said clamp adaptor and wherein said clamp adaptoris rotatable with respect to said elbow joint; and mounting an innerring inside said clamp adaptor, said inner ring having: a single outergroove formed vertically on an outside surface of said inner ringwherein said inner groove and said outer groove interlock; and anopening in said inner ring having a first diameter configured to receivea device having a second diameter wherein said inner ring is rotatablewith respect to said clamp adaptor.
 11. The method according to claim 10further comprising a suction cup base wherein said mast base piece ismounted on said suction cup base wherein said suction cup base isconfigured to be mounted to a smooth surface, which is wet or dry, andwherein said suction cup base further comprises a vacuum pump formounting said suction cup to a surface.
 12. The method according toclaim 10 wherein said inner ring has a horizontal slit all the waythrough one side of said inner ring allowing mounting of said devicehaving said second diameter 5-10% larger than said first diameter. 13.The method according to claim 10 wherein any of said second modular,flexible mast pieces are capable of being removed or added withouttools.
 14. A method of using a flashlight mount comprising: providing aflashlight mount comprising: a flexible mast configured to be positionedin one of a plurality of orientations; a clamp adaptor attached to anelbow joint at one end of said flexible mast wherein a single of innergroove is formed vertically on an inside surface of said clamp adaptorwherein said elbow joint is rotatable in relative to said flexible mastand wherein said clamp adaptor is rotatable relative to said elbowjoint; and an inner ring configured to be mounted inside said clampadaptor, said inner ring having: a single outer groove formed verticallyon an outside surface of said inner ring wherein said inner groove andsaid outer groove interlock; and an opening in said inner ring having afirst diameter configured to receive a device having a second diameterwherein said inner ring is rotatable with respect to said clamp adaptor;shortening or lengthening said modular, flexible mast as desired;thereafter mounting said flashlight mount onto a surface; thereafterinserting a device into said opening in said inner ring; and thereafterinserting said inner ring and said device together into said clampadaptor.
 15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said inner ringfurther comprises a horizontal slit all the way through one side of saidinner ring allowing mounting of said device having said second diameter5-10% larger than said first diameter.
 16. The method according to claim14 wherein said elbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees relative to saidflexible mast, said clamp adaptor is rotatable 360 degrees with respectto said elbow joint, and said inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees withrespect to said clamp adaptor.
 17. The method according to claim 14wherein said device comprises a flashlight, a work light, a mirror, or aclamping device.
 18. The method according to claim 14 further comprisinga suction cup base wherein a second end of said flexible mast is mountedon said suction cup base wherein said suction cup base is configured tobe mounted to a smooth surface, which is wet or dry, and wherein saidsuction cup base further comprises a vacuum pump for mounting saidsuction cup to a surface.